KOWYN at the 9th Annual Indigenous Women National Conference

11-14 August 2024, Laikipia County– Samburu Women Trust (SWT) in collaboration with The Indigenous Women Council (IWC) hosted the 9th Edition of the Annual National Indigenous Women Conference in Laikipia County at Nanyuki Sports Club. The theme of the Conference was ‘Building on Opportunities and Challenges Affecting Indigenous women and youth in climate change negotiation, land and natural resource governance.’ KOWYN’s founder and executive director, Judy Kipkenda was a speaker and participant at the conference. Notable partners of the conference are the American Jewish World Service – AJWS and The Christensen Fund.

Judy’s session was on ‘Youth Perspectives in Climate Change Negotiation, Land and Natural Resource Governance‘. She lent her voice to the impacts of a few youth voices in the climate change negotiations as well as her experience as an Indigenous Ogiek woman and young person in making positive contributions towards youth involvement. Additionally, she spoke on the leveraged solutions, largely within the Ogiek community as well as in international policy forums she has had the privilege to sit in.

Other conference sessions analyzed steps, efforts, and achievements made regarding Indigenous women’s rights as well as identified gaps for further deliberations on land and natural resources management, leadership governance, and climate change negotiations and developed strategies to accelerate Indigenous women’s effective inclusion across all levels. The recommendations from the symposium lead to a unified voice in preparation for the Indigenous Women’s Assembly and ongoing processes.

A key highlight of the conference was the launch of the first-ever Kenya Natural Resource Atlas. This was done by Ms. Kabale Tache to the chair of the Indigenous Women Council, Grace Lolim.

The importance of the Kenya Natural Resource Atlas to Indigenous women can not be overstated. Indigenous women play a crucial role in the stewardship of the communities and natural resources, yet they often face numerous challenges in accessing vital information that can support their livelihoods and rights. This Atlas will equip them with essential data on land use, water resources, and biodiversity, enabling them to advocate more effectively for their rights and the sustainable management of their environments. By empowering Indigenous women with knowledge, we are supporting their economic development and fostering resilience and sustainability within their communities.

Apart from the day’s business, attendees also had time to unwind. Samburu men engaged in a traditional game of Bao. Bao, a strategy game involving a board with 24 holes called “Enkangite” (meaning cattle enclosures) and 48 beans referred to as “Nkishu” (meaning cows), is a key cultural activity among pastoralist communities. The objective is to move your “cattle” strategically within your “bomas” and steal from your opponent’s row, aiming to leave them with no “cattle” in their enclosures. Beyond entertainment, the Bao game serves several purposes: it keeps elders engaged and prevents idleness, offers a platform to resolve conflicts and disputes, and plays a role in ritual performances.

The conference also assessed the achievements and gaps of the Community Land Act (CLA 2016). Land continues to be a contentious issue among the Ogiek community as they contend for their rights with the government. KOWYN celebrates the new discussions and conversations in negotiating land rights among other pertinent matters with the hope of effective mainstreaming and implementation of minority and marginalized groups issues in Kenya.

Would you like to follow other features of the Conference proceedings? Find more on Nation Media Group and Samburu Women Trust’s Official Facebook page.

Written and compiled by: Karen Kilwake